NCGA SUPPORTS JAPAN JOINING TRANS PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP

DECEMBER 2011

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(Posted Fri. Dec 23rd, 2011)

Dec. 23: Earlier this month, the National Corn Growers Association joined more than 60 agriculture organizations to send a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk urging the administration to work with Japan to facilitate Japan’s full participation in the Trans Pacific Partnership. The negotiations currently include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the United States.

“The addition of Japan to these negotiations would enhance the significance of the TPP and make the agreement much more encompassing,” the letter stated. “It would spur even broader interest among other Asia-Pacific countries, which could lead to the type of Asia-Pacific regional arrangement envisioned by the administration when you embarked on these talks last year.”

TPP aims to achieve a high-standard, 21st century agreement with a membership and coverage that provides economically significant market access opportunities. In order for Japan to join the negotiations, a series of consultations is required with U.S. stakeholders, Congress and the Japanese government. The Federal Register recently published notices requesting comments on the expression of interest by Japanin joining TPP negotiations. NCGA will submit comments and views Japan’s interest as a potentially historic opportunity for U.S.-Japan trade relations.Japan is the United States’ number one export market for corn.